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Swine flu changes traditions: Even Santa Claus can't be too careful [Chicago Tribune](Chicago Tribune (IL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dec. 6--At the mall this Christmas, there is one gift Santa would rather not give to the children on his lap, nor get from them. It's swine flu, and for that reason, ol' St. Nick will be packing extra gloves and hand sanitizer in his big bag. "We have no idea what kind of environment these kids are coming from. They are still in school, they are susceptible and they are carriers," said Keith Stras, head Santa and owner of ChicagoSantas.com, which supplies holiday Santas to locations throughout the Chicago area. At Daley Plaza, hand sanitizers will be placed at the entrance and exits of the Santa House this year. At Woodfield Mall, children will be encouraged to take a dab of hand sanitizer from a machine as they step up to Santa, and elves will be wiping down the holiday area more frequently. The new rules protecting Santa are the latest example of how some of the most ingrained social traditions, habits and gestures of American culture -- the handshake, the shared box of popcorn, a kiss beneath the mistletoe -- have come under suspicion. A nation that loves to travel, congregate at football games and greet with a grip or embrace have been asked to re-evaluate some habits -- at least temporarily, and at least among those who have paid heed to the health experts' admonitions. Suddenly, the phrase "social distancing" became common. As the local flu scare appears to subside, at least for now, one question is whether Americans will return to their old carefree ways, or whether some of the new social precautions will stick. "I wouldn't throw the handshake out the window yet, but it is possible that for the sake of our health, we will find another way to socially acknowledge each other," said Anna Post, spokeswoman for the Emily Post Institute, founded by her great-great-grandmother, the etiquette guru. Consider this: A survey by the Harvard School of Public Health found that one in 10 Americans had stopped shaking hands because of concerns about the H1N1 virus. An equal number had stopped hugging and kissing. Beyond Santa, quite a few institutions have changed the way they do business. At Harrah's Casino in Joliet, more than 50 hand-sanitizer machines have been stationed among the craps and blackjack tables, and a "bio-shield" substance -- which breaks down the molecules of germs -- has been smeared on slot handles, railings and anywhere else customers have contact. "If the blackjack dealer touches chips, we have explained they need to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds," said Darren VanDover, the general manager. At some Illinois universities, sororities showed a little less sisterly love this fall. During recruitment season, they decided to forgo hugs, kisses on the cheek and even handshakes in order to keep from spreading swine flu through the chapters. "We basically advised everyone not to shake hands, to get rid of communal bowls of food and we supplied all the sorority chapters with hand sanitizer," said Kristie Marotta, vice president of membership for the Panhellenic Association at Northwestern University. At some area churches, taking communion isn't the same this flu season. Wheaton Chinese Alliance Church, where members travel frequently between the U.S. and Asia, no longer distributes consecrated wafers on a common plate. Instead, they hand out single-serve communion kits, which include consecrated wafer and juice. Most churches drew a line at suspending the common cup for communion. The Archdiocese of Chicago has not changed either the Rite of Peace or Holy Communion from the Chalice, though it has urged those who feel sick to refrain from taking it. "Our servers are forbidden to touch vessels without washing hands or sanitizing," said the Rev. Edward Cronin of St. Alexander Roman Catholic Church in Palos Heights. "If we're supposed to help heal people ... we better darn well be concerned about their health physical, spiritual, emotional." With the lines to Santa awash in hand sanitizer, it's not the handshake that's worrying him and his handlers. It's the hug. In most places, kissing Santa has long been forbidden, but the elves are not about to stop kids from embracing him. "It's a very interesting balance," said Marc Stich, general manager of Woodfield Mall. "We don't want to lose the magic as it relates to children and Santa. But we are also hoping parents will use the common sense approach and not bring a child who is sick." Just in case, Santa is taking no chances. Each week at Chicago Santas.com, he will be given 12 pairs of white cloth gloves, which he will change twice a day. In between, he will freshen his hands with sanitizer. "We have to be as precautious as possible," Stras said. Tribune reporter Manya Brachear contributed to this report. [email protected] To see more of the Chicago Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.chicagotribune.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Chicago Tribune Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |